Jack Harold Emmott III

Jack Harold Emmott III, 75, died November 21, 2023. He was born on August 12, 1948, in Houston to Lucile Swartwout and Jack H. Emmott, Jr. He graduated from Cy-Fair High School in 1967, graduated from the University of Houston with a B.A. in 1971, and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law with a J.D. in 1974. He married Dorothy Lansford on May 20, 1972. They celebrated more than 51 years of marriage.

Jack is survived by their children, John Harold Emmott IV (Lisa) and Catherine Mary Emmott, and grandchildren, Tristan R. Emmott, Ellora Agnes Barnes, Ellisa Kay Barnes, John Harold Emmott V, Kandice Grantham and Carolyn Grantham. He is survived by his sister and brothers, Carolyn Sutherland, Charles Emmott, Gary Emmott, and D. Russell Emmott (Stacey), and nieces and nephews, Keith Young (Stephanie), Sandra Young, Jordon Emmott (Annina), Alanah Coleman (Blake), McKenzie Emmott Lokey (Blake), Karley Emmott Bruns (Cody), numerous great nieces and great nephews, 45 first cousins, and a world of friends. He is survived by Uncle Bill McLemore and is predeceased by 12 sets of aunts and uncles.

Jack was raised in the family compound in Fairbanks known as Emmottville, a 100-acre woods along White Oak Bayou. Jack contracted Polio at the age of six and with the help of his loving family he enjoyed a full active life with his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jack and Dorothy built a home in Emmottville, raised their children and continued to live there until 2009. After many years of massive floods, they made the excruciating decision to move away. He lived the remainder of his life in Spring Valley Village. He and Dorothy also owned a bay home in Palacios, where they enjoyed many years of entertaining family and friends and sharing the beauty of the bay.

He was a life-long member of St. Francis Episcopal Church. His involvement included teaching Sunday School to middle school students; Vestryman; Chair, Parish Life Committee; Co-Chair and Chair of St. Francis Day Weekend; and Chancellor.

He has been a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association for almost 50 years. He was Board Certified in both Family Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has been recognized as a Master Credentialed Collaborative Lawyer by Collaborative Divorce Texas. He was one of only two Houston Master Credentialed Collaborative Attorneys. With significant experience in both the collaborative law divorce process and litigated divorce, he devoted his practice to resolving family law disputes for clients all over Texas, including divorce, child custody cases, modifications, enforcement actions, termination of parental rights, paternity, premarital and post-marital agreements, adoptions and much more. He helped clients with a variety of goals and needs, ranging from wealthy individuals who want to protect and preserve their wealth as well as their privacy, to spouses and parents who need a compassionate peacemaker to resolve a dispute with fairness and dignity. His many further professional accomplishments can be read on the Gray Reed website.

“I believe in the power of God to help us with our daily problems large and small.” -Jack

Please visit the Bending Angel site to share in one of Jack’s passions for prayer. In Jack’s writing of Bending Angels: Living Messengers of God’s Love, he shares the spiritual wisdom and light filled life lessons learned from thirteen angels who touched his vulnerable young heart after the onset of polio. His first book Prayerful Passages encourages Christians in problem marriages and relationships to open their hearts to God’s grace and healing.

The family received visitors at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, Texas on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service was held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Road also in Houston. A reception in the Fine Arts Center will immediately follow the service.

Pallbearers are John H. Emmott IV, Tristan Emmott, Keith Emmott Young, Charles E. Emmott, Gary G Emmott, and D. Russell Emmott. Honorary Pallbearers are John H Emmott V, Jordon Emmott, and Bill McLemore.

The funeral service will be live streamed on Facebook St. Francis Episcopal Church and YouTube St. Francis Episcopal Church @ Houston.

Following is the link where the live stream can be accessed. Provide this link to friends and family who are unable to attend and they will be directed to the video where it will appear once it begins.

https://vimeo.com/event/873905

They can also go to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@StFrancisEpiscopalChurch) to watch the live stream. The recorded version of the service will be accessible through our YouTube channel under “live” videos after the memorial if someone misses the live stream.

A private family burial was held later.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice. The family’s preferred florist is Mark Anthony Florist 713-524-7679.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.waltripfuneraldirectors.com for the Emmott III family.